New Gross Barmen Resort fully booked

During the recently ended festive season, most Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) camps, including the newly renovated Gross Barmen Resort in Okahandja were fully booked from 16 to 31 December 2014. NWR corporate communications and online media manager, Mufaro Nesongano, said,“NWR was especially impressed with the level at which the Gross Barmen Resort was visited by day visitors and overnighters. It was humbling, considering that the resort had just opened two weeks prior to mid-December 2014.”

Nesongano said that after a careful analysis of some of the infrastructure at the resort, it was concluded that the resort needed to undergo a N$220 million renovation, which took close to three years.
“For instance, the pipes that feed the hot springs were now old, along with rooms which had not been renovated since the resort was built,” said Nesongano. Since its reopening, Gross Barmen Resort has had to resolve a few minor issues, such as the cohesion of staff members, the new equipment and infrastructure. “This lead to a few complaints with regards to service. Though we have now rectified that and are now receiving positive feedback,” said Nesongano.
The only major challenge, according to Nesongano, was the sourcing of some of the materials since most of them came from South Africa, and that they had anticipated to open the newly renovated resort slightly sooner than they had.
The NWR also introduced the NamLeisure card in 2013, which entitles cardholders to a 50% discount. According to Nesongano, the card played a huge role in ensuring that more people were able to see the camps and resorts. Thus far, over 2140 cards have been sold.